Frequently Asked Questions

Empower Panchayat is an initiative aimed at building competence and capability at the Gram Panchayat level. It leverages AI, digital public infrastructure, and existing government policies to enhance basic amenities and social protection, ensuring inclusive and sustainable development in rural areas​.

Empower Panchayat was founded by Amit Shukla. Amit is an experienced entrepreneur and social innovator, known for his previous work in founding EasyGov in 2015, which became part of Reliance Jio in 2019. His work focuses on democratizing AI to ensure marginalized individuals receive essential social protections like health, education, housing, food, and livelihood support. Empower Panchayat aims to decentralize power to local governments, enabling Gram Sabhas to effectively address local issues and enhance community governance​.

Empower Panchayat focuses on providing earning opportunities through skill development, access to funds, supply chain support, and market access.

Empower Panchayat organizes workshops, podcasts, and events to discuss Panchayats opportunities, capacity building, and the potential of Panchayats in various fields. These activities are designed to gather support from institutions and stakeholders and to educate and empower panchayats.

You can join Empower Panchayat as a fellow, volunteer, or mentor. They offer various roles to contribute to their mission of empowering rural communities and enhancing panchayats.

Institutions can collaborate with Empower Panchayat by becoming strategic partners, hosting workshops, and supporting their various initiatives aimed at empowering local governments and enhancing rural development.

Yes, both individuals and organizations can contribute by joining as volunteers, strategic partners, or mentors through forms available on the Empower Panchayat website​.

Recent workshops have been conducted at institutions like IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, IIM Mumbai, IIT Bhubaneswar, NITTTR Chandigarh, and AKTU Lucknow. These workshops focus on topics such as local government opportunities, capacity building, and leveraging AI and social protection policies for the benefit of Gram Panchayats​.

Empower Panchayat has significantly enhanced local governance by providing targeted training programs, promoting inclusive development that address health, education, housing, and livelihoods.

Local businesses benefit from Empower Panchayat’s initiatives by gaining access to financial resources, skill development programs, market access for rural products, and supply chain support​ance by providing targeted training programs, promoting inclusive development that address health, education, housing, and livelihoods.

Article 40 of the Indian Constitution is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. It mandates that the State shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government.

Article 40 is significant because it underscores the importance of decentralized governance and the role of village panchayats in India’s democratic framework. It aims to empower local self-government, making governance more responsive and accountable to the needs of rural communities.

The Seventy-Third Amendment, which came into force in 1992, added Part IX to the Constitution, titled “The Panchayats.” This amendment provides a constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions and outlines the structure, powers, and functions of Panchayats.

Despite the constitutional provisions, Panchayats often face challenges such as inadequate financial resources, lack of administrative support, and insufficient training for elected representatives.

We offer various roles in community engagement, project management, social media, and more. Each role is designed to leverage your skills and interests to empower local governance.

Visit our Volunteer Application Page to submit your application. Fill out the form with your details and areas of interest.

Volunteers are typically expected to commit a minimum of 5-10 hours per week for at least three months. Specific roles may have different requirements.

While some roles may require specific skills or experience, we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. Training and support are provided to help you succeed.

Yes, all volunteers receive comprehensive training tailored to their roles. This includes orientation, project-specific training, and ongoing support.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Exceptions may be made for younger volunteers with parental consent and approval from the program coordinator.

Yes, we offer both in-person and remote volunteering opportunities, allowing you to contribute from anywhere.

Volunteers gain valuable experience, enhance their skills, and make a tangible impact on local communities. Additionally, volunteers receive a certificate of appreciation and may request letters of recommendation.

Detailed descriptions of each volunteer role can be found on our Volunteer Roles Page. For further inquiries, please contact our volunteer coordinator.

Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to receive the latest updates on volunteer opportunities, events, and initiatives.

You can stay updated by visiting our website regularly, subscribing to our newsletter, and following us on our social media channels.

For more information, you can contact us via the contact form on our website or email us at info@empowerpanchayat.org. We are here to answer any questions and provide the support you need.

Our digital tools help Panchayats with:

• Efficient management of resources and projects.
• Real-time data collection and analysis.
• Transparent and accountable governance.
• Improved communication with the community.